098_TOPO_MESSENI This is the temple of MESSENE. It is from here which come the area of goddess cult worship of Messeni that her name is given to the lands of MESSENIA .the Theban general Epaminondas rebuilt the town of Messini; naming it after the first queen of the region. The new city became the capital of the liberated Messenians from the Spartans At the first victory of the Spartans over the Messenians led to the foundings of the cities of Messina and others cities in Italy. It is from here the saying for the Greeks and the Italian is 鈥楿na Ratsa; una Fatsa' which means 鈥榦ne race; one face'鈥?